Universal clip removal tool

Abstract

Tool for releasably engaging and removing one-way clips. The tool includes a handle coupled to a tool head. The tool head includes a set of cooperating jaws formed of relatively thin, flat members for releasably engaging the clip and collapsing the clip during engagement of the clip.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A pliers for releasably engaging and removing one-way clips comprising: a handle;   means operably coupled to the handle for releasably engaging the clip including a pair of cooperating jaws, each jaw formed of a relatively thin, flat member, wherein the pliers includes a closed clip engagement position for releasably engaging, collapsing and removal of the clip, and wherein when the pliers is in the closed clip engagement position, one jaw partially passes over the other jaw;   wherein the members include an outside edge and an inside edge, and wherein the means for releasably engaging the clip includes a contact region located on the inside edge, wherein the contact region is a generally V-shaped or notched region;   wherein each inside edge includes a tip portion and a body portion which meet to form the generally V-shaped or notched region; and   wherein in said closed clip engagement position the portion of the inside edge of one jaw which passes over the portion of said other jaw includes the inside edge tip portion and the body portion.   
     
     
       2. The pliers of claim 1, wherein the outside edge is rounded smooth. 
     
     
       3. The pliers of claim 1, wherein the inside edge is beveled. 
     
     
       4. The pliers of claim 1, wherein the pair of jaws are angled inward relative to a horizontal plane. 
     
     
       5. (Amended) The pliers of claim 1, wherein the means operably coupled to the handle is angled relative to the plane of the handle. 
     
     
       6. A pliers for removing automobile clips comprising: a handle;   a tool head operably coupled to the handle having a set of cooperating jaws formed of relatively thin, flat members, wherein the pliers includes a closed clip engagement position for releasably engaging, collapsing and removal of the clip, and wherein when the pliers is in the closed clip engagement position, one jaw partially passes over the other jaw;   wherein the members include an outside edge and an inside edge, and wherein the tool head includes a contact region located on the inside edge, wherein the contact region is a generally V-shape or notched region;   wherein each inside edge includes a tip portion and a body portion which meet to form the generally V-shaped or notched region; and   wherein in said closed clip engagement position the portion of the inside edge of one jaw which passes over the portion of said other jaw includes the inside edge tip portion and the body portion.   
     
     
       7. The pliers of claim 6, wherein the inside edge is beveled. 
     
     
       8. The pliers of claim 6, wherein the cooperating jaws are angled inward toward each other. 
     
     
       9. The pliers of claim 6, wherein the tool head is angled relative to the handle. 
     
     
       10. A pliers for removing one-way clips, comprising: a pair of clip-grasping jaws;   means mating a first clip-grasping jaw to a second clip-grasping jaw for relative pivotal movement therebetween with respect to an axis, wherein said jaws cooperate in a closed position to releasably engage the clip and collapse the clip during engagement of the clip;   wherein each of said jaws defines an inside edge which approaches the other of said edges as said jaws pivot about said axis;   wherein each jaw inside edge defines a generally V-shaped or notched region therein at a distance from said axis substantially the same as the distance of the other generally V-shaped or notched region from said axis and wherein a portion of the inside edge of one jaw passes over a portion of said other jaw in said closed position; and   wherein each inside edge includes a tip portion and a body portion which meet to form the generally V-shaped or notched region; and   wherein in said closed position the portion of the inside edge of one jaw which passes over the portion of said other jaw includes the inside edge tip portion and the body portion.   
     
     
       11. A pliers having a tool head operably coupled to a handle for removing collapsible one-way clips for reuse, the clips useable as automobile hood insulation clips and automobile side trim clips, the clips including a clip head and a clip stem, wherein the clip stem is collapsible, the tool head comprising: a first jaw and a second jaw which cooperate in a closed position to releasably engage the clip stem and collapse the clip stem during engagement of the clip;   means mating the first jaw to the second jaw for relative pivotal movement therebetween with respect to an axis;   wherein each of said jaws includes a relatively thin, flat member having an inside edge which approaches the other of said edges as said jaws pivot about said axis;   wherein each jaw inside edge defines a generally V-shaped or notched region therein a distance form said axis substantially the same as the distance of the other generally V-shaped or notched region from said axis; and   wherein when a portion of the inside edge of one jaw passes over a portion of said other jaw in said closed position, wherein each inside edge includes a tip portion and a body portion which meet to form the generally V-shaped or notched region, and wherein in said closed position the portion of the inside edge of one law which passes over the portion of said other jaw includes the inside edge tip portion and the body portion.   
     
     
       12. The tool head of claim 11, wherein the tool head is capable of collapsing the clip from any direction. 
     
     
       13. The tool head of claim 11, wherein each jaw is generally lobe-shaped. 
     
     
       14. The tool head of claim 11, wherein each jaw includes a relatively pointed end. 
     
     
       15. The tool head of claim 11, wherein each inside edge includes a smooth, beveled portion. 
     
     
       16. The tool head of claim 11, wherein each jaw is angled inward towards each other. 
     
     
       17. The tool head of claim 11, wherein the tool head is angled relative to a plane defined by the handle to form a lever arm assembly.